1996 SX outdrive project (water in bellows)

[mpt]

During a late wintertime project I decided to pull the outdrive off. Low and behold I found water in the bellows! I found out where the leak originated from, so I removed bellows and found a crack in it! :blue: Since I had the outdrive off I decided to replace, bellows, gimbal brg, u-joints and the faulty trim sender unit ($175-OUCH)! Later I found that the lower end of the gimbal ring had quite a bit of play in it so I pulled the lower pivot arm and found that the bushing (after 18 yrs) had worn thru and damaged the pivot pin ($$$$ new replacement from Volvo)! I had a friend machine me one for free! After replacing new pivot bushing ($20) and pin, the gimbal ring has no more slop in it now!

 

[mpt]

Re: 1996 SX outdrive project (water in bellows)

PART 2-During a late wintertime project I decided to pull the outdrive off. Low and behold I found water in the bellows! I found out where the leak originated from, so I removed bellows and found a crack in it! :blue: Since I had the outdrive off I decided to replace, bellows, gimbal brg, u-joints and the faulty trim sender unit ($175-OUCH)! Later I found that the lower end of the gimbal ring had quite a bit of play in it so I pulled the lower pivot arm and found that the bushing (after 18 yrs) had worn thru and damaged the pivot pin ($$$$ new replacement from Volvo)! I had a friend machine me one for free! After replacing new pivot bushing ($20) and pin, the gimbal ring has no more slop in it now!

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: 1996 SX outdrive project (water in bellows)

How often do you pull the outdrive? It should be added to your yearly maintenance routine along with checking the alignment and greasing the shaft. Also, that way if you have another water leak, you can most likely catch it before it causes this much damage.

It sounds like you replaced most everything that could have been affected. I'd also take a look at the drive seal behind the u-joints, as water can rust the surface and cause it to leak.

 

[mpt]

Re: 1996 SX outdrive project (water in bellows)

How often do you pull the outdrive? It should be added to your yearly maintenance routine along with checking the alignment and greasing the shaft. Also, that way if you have another water leak, you can most likely catch it before it causes this much damage.

It sounds like you replaced most everything that could have been affected. I'd also take a look at the drive seal behind the u-joints, as water can rust the surface and cause it to leak.

The seal behind the u-joints does have a lot of grease around it, so I couldn't detect any signs of water damage to it. I did pull the dipstick from lower unit and the oil was very clean and clear!

 

[mpt]

Re: 1996 SX outdrive project (water in bellows)

Part 3-During a late wintertime project I decided to pull the outdrive off. Low and behold I found water in the bellows! I found out where the leak originated from, so I removed bellows and found a crack in it! :blue: Since I had the outdrive off I decided to replace, bellows, gimbal brg, u-joints and the faulty trim sender unit ($175-OUCH)! Later I found that the lower end of the gimbal ring had quite a bit of play in it so I pulled the lower pivot arm and found that the bushing (after 18 yrs) had worn thru and damaged the pivot pin ($$$$ new replacement from Volvo)! I had a friend machine me one for free! After replacing new pivot bushing ($20) and pin, the gimbal ring has no more slop in it now!

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: 1996 SX outdrive project (water in bellows)

The seal behind the u-joints does have a lot of grease around it, so I couldn't detect any signs of water damage to it. I did pull the dipstick from lower unit and the oil was very clean and clear!

The major sign of that seal failing will be gear oil in your bellows. That's just one other reason to pull the drive and check periodically. Also, that seal is designed to keep gear lube in the drive, not keep other liquids out of the drive. With that much water in the bellows, there's a good chance some got by the seal. If so, it usually settles to the bottom near the drain hole. When you pull the plug to change the gear lube, it will be apparent if any water entered the drive. Whether you suspect it or not, it's cheap insurance and should be done yearly anyways. Good luck!

Also, do you have a service manual for your outdrive?

 

[mpt]

Re: 1996 SX outdrive project (water in bellows)

Yes, I have the the 3 manuals- outdrives, engines and electrical.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1996 SX outdrive project (water in bellows)

Make sure you check alignment before putting your drive back on.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: 1996 SX outdrive project (water in bellows)

Make sure you check alignment before putting your drive back on.

The last 2 photos he uploaded are titled "alignment check" so I think that's what he is trying to show in those pictures with the grease.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1996 SX outdrive project (water in bellows)

The last 2 photos he uploaded are titled "alignment check" so I think that's what he is trying to show in those pictures with the grease.

Ahhh you are right. Didn't click on them and from the thumbnail, looked like splines.